Our Approach
We want as many people as possible to enjoy the pleasures of singing and, for that reason, our choir has a fully open entry policy. We don’t want anyone to worry if they are good enough or whether they will fit in. What we all have in common is that we love singing and we want you to as well. We perform a wide range of music, classical modern, and traditional so there is plenty of variety and everyone is catered for.
Can’t read music? Doesn’t matter; most of us didn’t when we started, but we have learned enough to cope and you will gain more skill as time goes on. Not sure if you are a soprano, alto, tenor or bass? Doesn’t matter; we can work that out in a few minutes. Never sung in public? Well the great thing about a choir is that your voice is one among many and you can feel your way, getting more confident as you learn. Though we hope that the experience of being in a group will give you confidence, it is important that you don’t feel pressurised, so you don’t have to join performances until you feel ready. We have lots of good, experienced singers and they are a great support to those of us who are finding our feet and are happy to help.
You are welcome to come along to a few rehearsals and see if the choir is for you without having to make any commitment up front. It’s always a good idea to give it six weeks or so to allow yourself to settle in and feel more comfortable. If you do decide to join us, we will be very pleased, but will understand if you don’t. There is no pressure.
Our Director
Choirs only exist if someone leads them, so the Director is the key person in any choir which will be formed in his or her image. We are very fortunate to be led by Gary Beman.
Gary and a number of experienced singers created the choir at the end of 2014 and the fact that it has attracted and retained so many members shows that he is well regarded. Gary tells the story that he first attended a choir when in a rock band in his younger days seeking to improve his singing voice. He fell in love with choir singing and never went back! His enthusiasm for music and singing is enormous and he leads the choir with great humour and understanding. He is very knowledgeable, but wears it lightly and understands the problems and challenges facing singers at all levels. He is always supportive and very patient. He aims to get the very best out of us by encouragement and lots of practice. His commitment is huge and we are very lucky to have him as our Director.
Sasha
Sasha moved to Kineton in 2023 and, soon after, joined the choir.
WHAT MADE YOU JOIN THE SWAN SINGERS?
“I have always loved music and, not being able to play any instruments particularly well, I decided to try singing. I was a member of a choir in Birmingham called Voice of the Town for a number of years and really enjoyed it but had to give it up due to work. So when I moved to the area in 2023 and found out there was a choir so close to home I jumped at the opportunity and have been in the choir ever since.”
What do I like about the choir?
“I like the informal, friendly atmosphere. I did not know anyone in the area when I moved here and it has been nice getting to know the other choir members, who have been so welcoming.
The choir welcomes people of all musical abilities and backgrounds and there was no audition process which I was very glad about! Having previously sung mainly popular music, I have enjoyed singing a wider range of musical styles.
I have never been very good at sight reading but with each rehearsal have found myself getting a little bit better at reading and understanding the musical notation.”
Greg Molan
Greg lives in Kineton and has been a member of the choir from its first meeting.
What made you join The Swan Singers?
“I have always loved singing, ever since I was a kid back in Wales. I have belonged to a number of informal choirs in the past, but worked away from home for nearly ten years and it was impossible to keep it up with only being home at weekends. I retired a few years ago and joining a choir was on my ‘bucket list’. I was surprised how difficult it was to find choirs that were interested in new members and I found some were only interested if you came as a fully formed and experienced singer. So I was really excited when I heard that a choir was to be formed based in Kineton. I have always felt very welcome and have managed to find my feet as a singer. Though I have sung for years, part singing is a skill you have to learn. The choir has given me the confidence to develop and I am learning more all the time. Gary is a great Director and unfailingly positive.”
What do you like most about the choir?
“Even if I am not quite in the mood, I always feel invigorated after a rehearsal. Singing is good for the body and the soul! Choir members are very sociable and I feel that I have lots of new friends. We have to work at new material and it can be tricky at times, but, after a few weeks you can really see how you have progressed. When all the parts come together, it can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. ”
rob bowen
Rob lives in Butlers Marston and joined the choir in 2022.
What made you join the Swan Singers?
“I am a recent retiree (well, at 75 I thought it was time) and responded to an advert for singers to join the choir. It appealed to me that the Swan Singers are a community choir as it gave me comfort that rebuilding a voice may be possible. Given that I hadn’t sung in a choir for over 60 years it was a challenge for me to even consider joining. ”
What do you like most about the choir?
“For me, the benefits have included the slow rediscovery of my voice, the social interaction and enjoyment of being part of a focused group of individuals, being pressed musically to sing things I would never have considered in my range or repertoire, and, not least, benefitting from the medically proven physical aspects of singing.
The great thing is that there is no blame if you initially get things wrong or hit a dud note in rehearsals. Rehearsals are just that ... time to learn and hone before performance. You don’t have to be able to read music, and you find your own musical capabilities under the positive leadership of our MD Gary and accompanist Gustavo, both delightful characters.
Another lovely thing too is that the songs and music are eclectic, and deliberately so. Over a year, from sacred works at Easter, the fun and lightness of summer songs and showtunes and the happiness of the Christmas season with its carols and festive numbers, we cover a broad portfolio of work. If you are feeling shy about joining, as I did, don’t: come along and give it a whirl.”
Gustavo Schafaschek
Gustavo holds a Masters degree in Piano Performance from Birmingham Conservatoire. He is a well loved member of the choir and has been with us almost since it was formed in 2014.
What made you join The Swan Singers?
“I saw a poster at the Conservatoire of a choir in Warwickshire looking for an accompanist. I thought this would be a great opportunity to meet more musicians in the area, as I had only been living in the UK for six months at the time. I immediately contacted Gary, who asked me to come to a rehearsal a week later. I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome I received on that evening, and have been playing for them ever since.”
What do you like most about the choir?
“What I find great about the Swan Singers is the sense of camaraderie among its members. Everyone is there to enjoy themselves while making music, but enjoyment always comes first. The atmosphere is always very relaxed, regardless if we have a concert in the upcoming weekend or if we are just starting new repertoire. This creates a great sense of camaraderie among all members, who are always certain to have a stress-free music-making session on every rehearsal. As a classical musician, such musical environment is a relief from the daily routine at the Conservatoire. I always leave the rehearsal reinvigorated and happy for having the opportunity to perform with such a wonderful group of people.”